EDEN HABTEMICHAEL

2017

WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER   

Eden Habtemichael, a journalist from Eritrea, was awarded The Woman Of the Year Award in 2017.  Eden arrived in the UK with her two-year old daughter, Segen, in 2001. With only a few words of English and little money, Eden struggled with destitution and depression. Eden decided to face these new challenges, resolving to support asylum seekers and refugees once she was back on her feet. Sixteen years later, Eden coordinates the Women’s Service of Refugee Resource in Oxfordshire. She runs Host Oxford, matching host families and homeless refugees. She campaigns to shut down Campsfield detention centre in the county, organises drama and football for young refugees, co-hosts International Refugee Week events every year. Through all these, Eden has published two books of poetry in English and has supported Segen, now 20 years old and an ice-skating champion.